[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 22, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E58]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  A TRIBUTE TO THE NEWLY RETIRED ARTHUR BARNES, A PROUD SON OF HARLEM

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                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 22, 2008

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today, as we approach his 
retirement, to recognize the exemplary career of Arthur Barnes, who 
culminates a career marked by glowing accomplishment and triumph. He, 
this year, ends an illustrious 15-year stint as the Health Insurance 
Plan of New York's senior vice president for external affairs and 
corporate contributions--there, successfully pursuing with great energy 
and imagination the promoting of the health and well-being of the 
diverse New York community. Under his direction, the HIP generously 
doled out aid--in the form of grants, scholarships, contributions, 
sponsorships, and in-kind services--to those nonprofit organizations 
actively working to improve the quality of life for New York City 
residents. Through his efforts, Arthur Barnes empowered community 
organizations to make a substantive contribution to the education of 
people who were previously unaware of how they could positively affect 
their well-being through preventative behavior. This working 
partnership stands as Arthur's perhaps greatest legacy. It is that 
legacy of selfless service to the greater good that Arthur leaves 
behind for all to emulate.
  He ably served in an array of influential posts before arriving at 
HIP: presiding over the New York Urban Coalition as its leader and CEO 
for 20 years, becoming a vice president at the Institute for Mediation 
and Conflict Resolution, and rising from file clerk to vice president 
of administration over a 21-year period at Consolidated Mutual 
Insurance Companies. His commitment to philanthropy remains a pillar of 
his public work, serving on the volunteer boards of Black Agency 
Executives, Associated Black Charities, and New York City Partnership, 
which he helped found.
  A native son of Harlem, he has remained loyal and true to his home. 
But the benefits of his efforts are far-reaching and innumerable.

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